On the Road, Again

I’ve just landed in the cool, clean mountains of North Carolina after a 3-day drive from New Mexico. I’m very grateful the journey was uneventful, but these bones are weary. That is a long-a** way, I’m just going to say. It’s a drive I’ve usually done in the company of a large, quiet dog, but that large, quiet dog now bounds through greener pastures somewhere, stardust having rejoined what is elemental. So for this trip back (the sixth time I’ve done it) I had the company of some gripping podcasts and an MFK Fisher audiobook.

On the other hand, for the trip out from North Carolina to New Mexico a few weeks ago, I was accompanied by my dear treasured pal and fellow memoirist, Eileen Drennen. I scooped her up in Nashville, and I doubt there was a quiet moment after, as we tooled along all those miles over I-40, since it had been four years (4!!) since we’d laid eyes on each other. I’m so thankful she took the time to travel with me. It was a true gift and so fun showing her my beloved Albuquerque and having her meet other treasured pals, too, like parts of my life converging in a delightful way.

And such deeply felt joy to see some ABQ peeps!

So much love and thanks to writer pal and memoir critique partner Lauren DePino for the laughter and the snacks and the beautiful friendship, generous support and encouragement, and to chef-bartender, cinematographer, and friend Alan Caudillo for the fantastic dinner and the margaritas made with pomegranate syrup from pomegranates grown in their backyard oasis, and to both for sharing their sweet pups with me. Golly, but those dogs are cute, and, oh, Betty, Betty, Betty! (Hi, PP, love you, too.)

Heartfelt gratitude and squishy love-hugs for my sisterfriend Jan Griffin and the brother I never got to have till I lucked out, Clark Griffin, who both opened their gorgeous home and gathered me in, and OMG the Bananagram and Upwords games that ensued, and the cuddly “kiddens,” and the fabulous dinners out in the patio area with “the green side” of the Sandia Mountains in full view, not to mention the coyotes and the wild horses that come with the territory.

Author Wendy Cohan is one of the most prolific writers I know and a lovely human being, too. We got to have a nice long coffee date beneath a blossom-heavy locust tree on a crisp New Mexico morning.

I missed seeing several friends. I’’ll have to connect with them next time I’m out there.

Truth, though? I am tired. It really is a long-a** way. Yet, so much right now is whirling, good and hopeful things. I’ll send updates as I receive them myself, but I covet your positive thoughts in these next weeks.

On the list to come:

• Chapter 30 of Dead Ringer (any ideas yet who killed Rachel Roper?)

• Next installment of The Treehouse: Conversations About God — we’ll take a look at the Ten Commandments and I’ll share some thoughts on the whole purpose of the “law.”

• I’m hoping to have at least one link to a newly published piece.

• Maybe some other lovely news.

I hope it’s beautiful wherever you are. Today in the Blue Ridge Mountains it’s sunny and spring-green with clear blue skies and a delicious breeze. I’m wishing you a wonderful week, and I’m so very glad to have you as readers and subscribers! More soon!